LIVERMORE – The continuing fight over noise levels at Livermore Municipal Airport could take a bite out of pilots’ wallets and impact the city’s relationships with neighboring communities. On Monday, the City Council raised hangar and tie-down rents at the airport by 5.5 percent, and agreed to send a letter to Pleasanton raising concerns with a proposed senior housing project west of the airport.

City staff members said in a report that the rent increase would in part “cover the initial cost to implement a Noise Monitoring and Noise Reduction Program.” This plan triggered opposition from pilots, who said the airport is a huge benefit to the entire community.

Brett Wayne, a pilot and Livermore resident, said the airport pumps $57million into the Valley’s economy, and that Dublin and Pleasanton enjoy half of the businesses generated by the airport.

“It’s only fair those communities share in paying for a noise system to monitor that activity,” he said.

Council members said they would wait until a later time to decide what, if any, amount of the fee increase would go toward the noise monitoring program. They also said they may ask Pleasanton and Dublin to contribute to the noise program.

In a separate issue, council members expressed concern about a proposal by Pleasanton and Alameda County to develop a senior housing project on county-owned property west of EI Charro Road. The letter that will be sent to Pleasanton notes that senior citizens are particularly sensitive to loud noises. The letter will suggest not building housing units at the proposed location.